A group of Natick kids started selling lemonade 45 minutes after school got out for the summer. For a quarter, people could get a cup, plus they could pet neighborhood dog Brutus!

By Kathy Coan Uek

NATICK - The apple – or in this case a lemon – doesn’t fall far from the tree for five budding entrepreneurs who recently sold lemonade soon after school let out for the summer.

Angi MacDonnell, the mother of two of the children selling the refreshing summer sensation, experienced her first job as a young teen running a professional lemonade stand outside the Clam Shack in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Rather than taking in profits from themselves, the children will donate the money to a pair of pediatric hospitals.

Ella Vincent, 8, Haley Kennedy, 7, and Carolyn MacDonnell, 7, had their own creative juices flowing as they stood behind a pitcher of lemonade perched on top of two wooden stools with a sign proudly announcing their purpose.

Older brothers Joe MacDonnell and R.J. Vincent, both 9, made $75 last summer selling the citrus drink with three other friends, helped boost profits.

Each time the boys saw someone drive by, the duo ran up Grove Street to Winnemay and likewise down the street to Charles showing their sign and shouting: “Lemonade 25 cents,”

For anyone wishing to taste the summertime treat the first day, the girls peeled off their own promotion. In addition to a 16-ounce blue Solo party cup half filled with lemonade, they offered customers a choice – for free - of red grapes, a homemade mini banana muffin, a mist of cool water from their spray bottle, or the opportunity to pet their yellow Lab, Brutus, unsuspecting and resting nearby in the yard.

While Joe suggested they sell the lemonade for 50 cents, the girls knew their market.

“If we keep the price at 25 cents, more customers will buy it,” said Haley. “It’s fun making money and being with friends.”

The concept of selling lemonade began when Ella had a thought while drawing a picture of the three friends.

“Hey, we could sell lemonade,” said Ella, who promptly made the sign for their lemonade stand.

Forty-five minutes after their Bennett-Hemenway Elementary School closed for the summer, the girls set up shop.

And they plan for profits to go for a good cause. “We’re making money for St. Jude’s Hospital,” said Carolyn. “They’re developing medicine to cure people.”

Ella later suggested they split the proceeds between St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital.

After 30 minutes on the first day at the lemonade stand, they closed. Joe had to report to Hunnewell Field as first basemen and catcher in the playoff game against the Braves, which they won 10-6.

Later in the day, R.J. went to his playoff game as second baseman against the Angels.

Firm in their cause, two days later the children were at it again.

The girls raided the MacDonnell house and came out with promotional items including Doritos, blueberries, strawberries and, of course, a chance to pet Brutus. They munched on some of the Doritos as they waited patiently for customers.

Aided by Joe and R.J., profits increased to $6.

The five of them hope to continue their venture a total of 10 times until they have enough money to help the pediatric hospitals.

“We had fun,” said R.J.

If you know of someone we could cover for this Good to Know column, contact Kathy Coan Uek at uekstories@gmail.com.

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